Telling patients to 'fight' cancer puts them under pressure
Published 4 Oct 2018 • Updated 23 May 2019 • By Josephine O'Brien
Cancer patients should not be told to “fight” their disease because doing so puts them under “exhausting pressure”, Macmillan Cancer Support has said.
The charity warned that framing cancer in terms of a battle leaves patients feeling guilty for admitting fear and often prevents them planning properly for their death.
Macmillan said thousands of sufferers were unnecessarily dying in hospital rather than their own home each year because of a “gulf in communication” towards the end of life.
Experts last night called for a cultural change around cancer so patients no longer feel compelled to put on a brave face.
Research commissioned by the charity reveals nearly two thirds of sufferers never talk to anyone about their fears of dying due to the pressure to see themself as a “fighter”.
Meanwhile 28 per cent reported feelings of guilt if they cannot stay positive about their disease.
Adrienne Betteley, end-of-life care advisor at Macmillan, said: “We know that “battling” against cancer can help some people remain upbeat about their disease, but for others the effort of keeping up a brave face is exhausting and unhelpful in the long-term."
The report said the pressure to stay positive and support people to “fight” cancer was one of the biggest barriers to holding conversations about dying, even in patients who had already received a terminal diagnosis.
“We need to let people define their own experiences without using language that might create a barrier to vital conversations about dying,” said Ms Betteley.
“For health and social care professionals, there is often a fear that the person is not ready to talk about dying.
“We know, however, that making plans while receiving treatment allows people with cancer to retain a sense of control during an emotionally turbulent time.”
What do you think about this? Do you think it is time to change the language surrounding cancer? Many people on Twitter talked about how you "don't lose a battle against a heart attack" so why do we use this language with cancer?
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11 comments
I’m not a cancer warrior and I don’t want to be one. It’s a disease and no amount of kale and meditation is going to cure me. I just ride the wave to my own oblivion, sometimes I’m grateful and happy and at other times I’m sad and down. But for while I’m ever this side of the grass I want to live my life an authentic me.
@Lolly66 @maddoglady @JanetteR @robjmckinney Thank you all for giving your opinions and expanding on the media influenced image that is portrayed of cancer patients. It is important to have these discussions to educate others on what this disease does entail, rather than what is fed to the masses through advertising campaigns.
@JosephineO Mass advertising campaigns are there for making money, little else. I used many Charity sites like the British Heart Foundation and MacMillan etc. looking for help.They were all about giving money to their cause rather than informing people who are ill seeking help.
Hi,
I so agree with the comments already aired. I myself have gone through five years of different treatment, and not to long ago wanted to give up this so called fight. When I told my children and the other members of the family. I had such a strong response against it, I felt guilty for even thinking it. I hate the Macmillan adverts that show people with cancer having someone with them all the time, a nurse on their arm etc, it couldn't be further from the truth, as I have found out only a couple of weeks ago. My mum believes those adverts and was shocked to hear me say different.
I don't feel like I am fighting a battle. To me a battle is something you can win, you make your decision and change things and get the better of. I have watched my cancer slowly creep around my body and nothing which has been done has stopped it. I do think the language around cancer should change.
All the best to everyone
Shirley.
@Shirley61 Thank you for sharing Shirley
